Articulator



Get. 15, 1935.

G; J KELLER ARTI CULATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1954 INVENTOR.6e0rge J @2267 awfwkwyi mx KM ATTORNEY5 Get. 15, 1935. G. J. KELLER2,017,502

ARTICULATOR Filed May 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Geo/ye J/(e/kr ATTORNEYS G. J. KELLER Get. 15, 1935.

ART ICULATOR Filed May 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. oiye J /(eZZerBY 6W ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 15, 1935 14 Claims.

This invention relates to an articulator such as is used in the makingof artificial dentures.

It is the object of this invention to produce an articulator which willmore accurately simulate the upper and lower human jaws in theirrelative movement than has been possible with articulators heretoforeknown.

It is also an object of this invention to produce an articulator whichis simple, easily set up and operated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a patient with the parallelers inposition to obtain the respective positions of the right and left pivotsof the lower jaw.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the articulator.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the articulator.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the articulator.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the articulator taken just above thelower mandible plate showing the lower mandible plate in centricposition.

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5 showing the lower mandible platein right and left lateral positions in the full and dotted linesrespectively with the degree plates adjusted.

Fig. 7 is a section along the line of Fig. 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings there is shown in Fig. l, inthe dotted lines, a patient with the parallelers in position to obtainthe respective locations of the right and left pivots of the patientslower jaw. Any suitable type of paralleler may be used to obtain therelative position of the pivots of the lower jaw. The paralleler is usedin conjunction with bite rims such as are shown in copending applicationSerial No. 665,276, filed April 10, 1933. The bite rims, generallydesignated 2, are provided with parallel prongs which engage suitableopenings in the front cross bar 3 of the paralleler and are held inposition by the set screws The paralleler is provided with a pair ofadjustable posts 5 and 5 which carry the adjustable locating pins 1 and8. As shown, the locating pins 1 and 8 are positioned against the leftand right pivots of the patients lower jaw and the respective postsadjusted vertically relative to the parallel bars 9 and it and thensecured in this position by the set screws and |2. As brought out in thecopending application, the bite rims are inserted in the patients mouthso that, generally speaking, they fall in a plane parallel to a lineextending between the wing of the nose and the auditory meatus. Afterthe parallelers are positioned on the patient and the locating pins "land B adjusted, as above described, the vertical distance between thelocating pin 8 and the parallel bar I3 is substantially equal to thevertical distance between the right pivot of the patients lower jaw andthe junction of the upper and lower lips of the patient, that :5. is,the line of dental engagement between the upper and lower teeth. Thevertical distance between the locating pin 7 and the parallel bar 9 in asimilar fashion represents the distance between the left pivot of thelower jaw and the 10 meeting line between the upper and lower lips ofthe patient. The right and left lateral movements of the patients lowerjaw, as well as the centric and protrusive positions of the lower jaw,are then ascertained and recorded with the bite l5 attachment of thetype shown in the above mentioned copending application and according tothe method therein described.

The articulator comprises a base which may be in the form of the openframework 20 and 20 a support for the maxillary and lower mandibleplates which may be in the form of a U frame comprising vertical posts2| and 22 with the connecting cross bar 23. The posts may be spot weldedor otherwise suitably fixed at their base to 25 the base 2%. The crossbar 23 has fixed thereon the spaced blocks 24 and 25 which carry the pin25 which pivotally supports the upper or maxillary plate 21. Hence, theupper maxillary plate 2? has a hinge relation with the cross bar 23 but30 may be set in horizontal, non-hinging position by the set screw 28carried by the block 25.. The lower mandible plate 29 is provided at therear end of its side edges with the support arms 30 and 3 l. to eachother and rigidly fixed perpendicularly to the lower mandible plate 29.The support arms 3|! and 3| are each provided with the adjusting slots32 which cooperate with the corresponding slots 33 in the posts 2| and22 to permit vertical 40 adjustment of the lower mandible plate on thesupport posts. The arms 30 and 3| are held in adjusted position uponposts 2| and 22 by bolts 3% which pass through the slots 32 and 33 andthe wing nuts 35 with suitable spacer washers between the posts andarms. The arms 30 and 3| may converge slightly inwardly from top to botThe support arms 30 and 3! are parallel truly vertical so that the lowermandible plate is positioned truly horizontal.

The lower mandible plate 29 is provided with a flat slidable plate 39which is provided at each end with the downwardly projecting pins 59.The mandible plate 29 is likewise provided with the removable guides 4|.The removable guides 4| have the downwardly projecting pins 42 whichremovably engage in the openings 43 in the mandible plate to removablyhold the guides AI in position. The slide plate 39 may be locked inposition on the lower mandible 29 by means of the wing set screw 94which passes through the slot 45 in the plate 39 and screws into asuitable threaded opening 45 in the lower mandible plate.

The lower mandible plate 29 may be swung about the pivot pins 34 whenthe pin 38 is removed by turning the threaded stud 41, the lower end ofwhich rests on the projection 48 of the base plate 29. The threaded stud41 is provided with 'a lock nut 49.

The lower mandible plate is provided with degree plates for reproducingthe Gothic arch of the patient which is graphically recorded on the biteattachment referred to in the above mentioned copending application. Thelower mandibleplate 29 is provided with a semi-circular projection 59along its front edge and a similar projection 5| along its rear edge.The projection 59 is provided with two arcuate slots 52 and 53 having acommon center 54. On the underside of the projection 59 are slidablymounted two cooperating degree plates 55 and 56, each provided with apair of set screws 5? for holding the plates in position. Each of theplates 55 and 56 is provided with a straight edge 58 which is a radiusof the circle having its center at 54. The projection 59 is providedwith a semi-circular opening 59 which receives the downwardly projectingpin 49 on the slide plate 39.

The semi-circular projection 5| along the rear edge of the lowermandible plate 29 is also provided with two concentric arcuate slots 69and 5| having a common center 62. The projection 5| is provided with anopening 63 through which the downwardly projecting pin 40 at the rearend of the slidable plate 39 projects. The projection 5| has mounted onthe underside thereof the degree plates 64 and 55 which are sectors of acircle. Each degree plate 64 and 55 is provided with a straight edge 66and 61 respectively which are radii of -a common circle. The degreeplates 63 and 64 are mounted on the underside of the projection 5| bythe set screws 68.

The slide plate 39 is provided with a removable block 99 having inclinedsides 9|. The block 99 is removably secured to the top face of the plate39 by the screws 92. When the lower bite block is cemented to the plate39 with plaster of Paris, the block 90 becomes embedded in the plasterof Paris, and serves to anchor the lower bite block to the slide plate39. By this arrangement, when desired, the lower bite block can beremoved from the slide 39 by removing the screws 92, and when it isdesired to replace the lower bite block and anchor block 99, thisarrangement insures the placing of the lower bite block in exactly thesame position on the plate 39 that it had prior to being removed.

the paralleler, as above described, the paralleler with the bite rimsand bite blocks mounted thereon is then positioned upon the articulator,shown in Fig. 4, with the cupped ends 19 of the pins 1 and 8 engagingover the ends of the bolts 34. At

this time the pin 38 is in position through open- 5 ings in the arms 35and 3| and posts 2| and 22. Cross bar 3 is set horizontally on plate 39which is in approximately horizontal position. The wing nuts 35 areloosened and the bolts 39 adjusted vertically in the slots 32 and 33 adistance equal 10 to that between the parallel bars 9 and H3 and therespective pins l and B. The wing nuts 35 are then turned tight. Theadjusting screw "H is now turned so that the parallel bars 9 and H] areparallel to the sliding plate 39 and necesl6 sarily the adjusting rods 5and 6 will be perpendicular to the slidable plate 39, that is, parallelwith the posts 2| and 22. The upper and lower bite blocks are nowcemented to the upper maxillary plate 2'! and the sliding plate 39 byany suitable material such as plaster of Paris. Thereafter the wax sealbetween the adjoining bite blocks is broken and the paraller removed.This leaves the upper and lower bite blocks and respective bite rimsbound to the upper maxillary plate and the lower slidable plate 39.

The upper and lower bite blocks are now in centric position, that is,the position which the jaws assume when the upper and lower teeth are innormal engagement. Allowance must be made for the over-bite. To this endthe set screw 44 is turned to released position so that the plate 39 isfree to slide back and forth between the guides H. At this time theremaining portion of the bite attachment, carrying the graphic recordingof the Gothic arches, is secured to the bite rims, as shown in the abovementioned copending application and as indicated at '52, Fig. 5. At thistime the bite plates are in centric position with the two recording pinspositioned at the apex 13 of the Gothic arches. Hence, to obtain theoverbite position of the two bite blocks the pin 98 is removed and theslide plate 39 slid forwardly a distance equal to the protrusive line ofthe patient. This over-bite may be measured from the over-bite portionof the graphic recording on the bite attachment and the plate 39 slidforwardly an equal distance, the graduations l4 assisting one to movethe plate forward the correct distance.

Another method of taking care of the overbite is that of sliding thelower plate 39 forwardly while the recording pins of the bite attachmentretrace their course from the centric position F3 to the protrusiveposition 15. By sliding the plate 39 forwardly and at the same timemaintaining the upper and lower plates of the bite attachment in face toface contact, the lower mandible plate 29 will necessarily swing withthe arms 39 and 3! about the pins 35. Thereafter the wing nuts 35 aretightened still more and the mandible plate 29 and slide plate 39 willbe tilted from the horizontal practically in the same manner as thepatients lower jaw would tilt in moving from centric to protrudedposition. In view 05 of the fact that the'two supporting pins 35 arepositioned unequal distances from the lower mandible plate 29 in afashion similar to the positions There would be no inclination of themandible plate from side to side if the pivots of the patients lower jawbone were each the same vertical distance above the junction of theupper and lower lips of the patient, but this is very rare.

After the plate 39 has been set for the overbite the next operation isthat of setting the degree plates for the right and left lateralposition of the lower jaw. To accomplish this the uides ll and set screwit are removed from the lower mandible plate 29. The set screws and E8on the front and rear degree plates are loosened. At this time therecording pins on the bite attachment, described in the above mentionedcopending application, are moved so that the recording pins 23 and 2 3follow the right lateral projection graphically recorded in the Gothicarch till the pins reach the extreme right lateral position indicated at8!. inasmuch as the lower bite plate and attachment are secured to theslidable plate by the plaster of Paris this plate shifts to the right asindicated in the full lines of Fig. 6. At this time the right frontdegree plate 56 and the right rear degree plate 53 are moved so that thestraight edge 58 of the front degree plate and the edge 6'! of the reardegree plate contact with the projecting pins ii The set screws 5'! and68 are then turned tight to hold the degree plate in this position. Thesetting of the left front and rear degree plates is accomplished in thesame manner, namely, by moving the bite attachment and plate 39 so thatthe recording pins retrace the left portion of the Gothic arch till theyreach the extreme left lateral projection. The degree plates are thenmoved into engagement with the pins ii! and secured in place by the setscrews. This is illustrated in the dotted lines of Fig. 6.

The bite blocks are now in proper position upon the articulator and assoon as the bite rims and attachment are removed the technician canproceed with the setting of the teeth.

In the setting of they teeth the upper plate 2'! and upper bite blockremain stationary whereas the lower bite block and plate 39 are free tobe shifted and simulate the centric, protrusive, and right and leftlateral positions of the lower jaw. The shifting of the sliding plate 39is facilitated inasmuch as the straight edges 58 and 66 of the degreeplates which cooperate with the pins ii] to guide the movement of thesliding plate 39 are both on the lower mandible plate and are positionedon the same side of center. For example, in shifting the slide plate 39from the right lateral position, shown in the full lines Fig. 6, tocentric position the plate is slid rearwardly with the pins ii engagingthe straight edges of the right front and right rear degree plates. Thisarrangement makes for ease of operation of the slide plate 39 which isparticularly valuable during the grinding in of the teeth.

After the teeth have been set in the trial base and tried in thepatients mouth, one may desire to raise or lower the teeth to obtain abetter fit. In such case the bite may be opened or closed depending uponwhether the teeth have to be raised or lowered. After it has beendetermined whether the teeth have to be raised or lowered, the trialbases with the teeth set therein are returned to the articulator andagain set up with plaster or" Paris, as above described. At this timethe bite between the upper and lower teeth may be opened or closeddepending upon whether the teeth are to be raised or lowered by simplyswinging the lower mandible plate about its pivots 34.

Because of the suspension of the lower mandible plate on the pivot arms3i! and 3! of unequal length, the lower mandible'plate in the opening orclosing of the bite swings in a corresponding manner to the lower jaw ofthe patient. In other 15 words, the teeth and trial bases while in thearticulator and when the bite is eitheropened or closed to permitraising or lowering of the teeth, the teeth are in substantially thesame position as they would be were they in the patients 10 mouth.

I claim:

' 1. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, aslidable piate mounted on, and slidably engaging, lower mandible plate,degree plates adjustably mounted on the lower mandible plate, and meansoperatively connecting the slidable plate and the degree plates to guidethe slidable plate during its movement.

2. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate,

a slidable plate mounted on, and slidably engaging, the lower mandibleplate having spaced pins, and degree plates having straight edgesadjustably mounted in spaced relation on the lower mandible plate, thestraight edges of the degree plates engaging with the pins of thesliding plate to guide the slidable plate during its movement inslidable engagement with the mandible plate.

3. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, aslidable plate having parallel side edges mounted on the lower mandibleplate, and parallel guide members carried by the lower mandible platefor engagement with the parallel side edges of the sliding plate forguiding the slidable plate while 4 being set for over-bite.

4. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, aslidable plate having parallel side edges mounted on the lower mandibleplate, parallel guide members carried by the lower mandible plate forengagement with the parallel side edges of the sliding plate for guidingthe slidable plate while being set for over-bite, and means for lockingthe slidable plate in over-bite position upon the mandible plate.

5. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, aslidable plate having parallel side edges mounted on the lower mandibleplate, parallel guide members carried by the lower mandible plate forengagement with the parallel side edges of the sliding plate for guidingthe slidable plate while being set for over-bite, and a set screw forlocking the slidable plate in over-bite relation with the lower mandibleplate.

6. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, anupper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandibleplate pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support,adjustable pivots for pivotally supporting the lower mandible plate uponthe said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandibleplate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges ofthe lower mandible plate, and means operatively connecting the slidableplate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during itsmovement.

7. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, anupper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandibleplate having a pair of supporting arms pivotally mounted at spacedpoints upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally connectingthe supporting arms with the said support, a slidable plate supported onthe said lower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted atopposite edges of the lower mandible plate, and means operativelyconnecting the slidable plate with the degree plates to guide theslidable plate during its movement.

8. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, anupper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandibleplate having a pair of supporting arms pivotally mounted at spacedpoints upon the said support, adjustable pivots for pivotally connectingthe supporting arms with the said support, a slidable plate supported onthe said lower mandible plate, and a rod arranged to pass through thesupport and the arms for preventing the lower mandible plate fromswinging about its pivots.

9. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, anupper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandibleplate pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support,adjustable pivots for pivotally supporting the lower mandible plate uponthe said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandibleplate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges ofthe lower mandible plate, means operatively connecting the slidableplate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during itsmovement, and parallel guides for engaging the side edges of theslidable plate. 7

10. An articulator comprising a base, a support rising from the base, anupper maxillary plate mounted on the said support, a lower mandibleplate pivotally mounted at spaced points upon the said support,adjustable pivots for pivotally supporting the lower mandible plate uponthe said support, a slidable plate supported on the said lower mandibleplate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front and rear edges ofthe lower mandible plate, means operatively connecting the slidableplate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plate during itsmovement, and an adjusting screw for adjusting the lower mandible platesabout its pivots.

11. An articulator comprising a base, a support including a pair ofposts rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the saidsupport, a lower mandible plate, a pair of parallel supporting arms forthe lower mandible plate rising perpendicular therefrom, the saidsupport posts and arms having corresponding slots, adjustable pivotspassing through said slots for pivotally mounting the lower mandibleplate upon the said support, and a slidable plate supported 10 on thesaid lower mandible plate.

12. An articulator comprising a base, a support including a pair ofposts rising from the base, an upper maxillary plate mounted on the saidsupport, a lower mandible plate, a pair of parallel supporting arms forthe lower mandible plate rising perpendicular therefrom, the saidsupport posts and arms having corresponding slots, adjustable pivotspassing through said slots for pivotally mounting the lower mandibleplate upon the said support, a slidable plate supported on the saidlower mandible plate, adjustable degree plates mounted at the front andrear edges of the lower mandible plate, and means operatively connectingthe slidable plate with the degree plates to guide the sliding plateduring its movement.

13. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the mandible plate, a platemounted upon and in direct sliding engagement with, the lower mandibleplate, degree plates for limiting the lateral and longitudinal movementsof the slidable plate adjustable to vary the range of the lateral andlongitudinal movements of the said slidable plate, and means operativelyconnecting the slidable plate and the degree plates to guide theslidable plate during its movements.

14. An articulator comprising in combination a lower mandible plate andan upper maxillary plate supported above the lower mandible plate, ashiftable plate mounted on the lower mandible plate and shiftablelaterally and longitudinally in a single plane, degree plates adjustablymounted in spaced relation on the lower mandible plate, the said degreeplates having straight edges in converging relation, and means carriedby the shiftable plate for engagement with the converging straight edgesof the degree plates to limit the range of lateral and longitudinalmovement of the said plate in a single plane.

GEORGE J. KELLER.

